Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes. It will be available in January 2017. I am trying to get my understanding of these issues confirmed. I understand that as part of these arrangements, the transitional 12-month period for the operation of the pay-by-weight system and of the wider waste market will be reviewed. I also understand that when a decision is being made on the arrangements beyond 1 July 2017, the intention will be to keep the operation of the price freeze under review, with consideration being given to further legislation and intervention if necessary. I know this applies to the following year. That is something else we talked about.

I ask the Minister to explore the option of revocation in one particular case. As Senators will be aware, people who avail of the services of a certain waste management provider have been told they have to pay charges under the new system. This applies in particular to new customers of this provider. I do not know whether I can mention the name of the provider in question. I want the Minister to clarify that for me. It seems that new customers of this provider could have to pay the full pay-by-weight charge. I need to get that clarified.

Customers who want to stay on the current plan are not being given enough information. They have been told they have to let the provider know if they want to stay on the current plan. We have been told that all this information is coming on board. I need to get clarification on the freeze that is being introduced from tomorrow, 1 July. As a result of media hype, the provider in question has announced that it intends to send letters to its customers, who will have a month to say whether they want to stay on the original plan. This applies to customers who have been on the plan in question and not to new customers. I believe other providers are following suit down the same road.

Reasonable and honest people who have been paying their charges without delay or complaint are confused and angry. They are disappointed by the Government's inaction. The Minister needs to be proactive rather than reactive. Perhaps he should listen to what the people are saying before their complaints reach "Liveline". Everybody is getting their information from "Liveline". It has been phenomenal.

I have to say that as a Senator, I was delighted with what the Minister was doing last week. People were happy with the decision to freeze pay-by-weight charges for a year. I think there was agreement here that this was what people wanted. Of course we were looking for a waiver scheme under special circumstances. We need answers. I felt that the biggest issue was the lack of information.People automatically thought they would not be affected by any pay-by-weight system for one year. I know the Minister will work on this but I need answers and I need to go back to the people that I represent, as the Minister also represents his constituents, and tell them that there will not be hikes and that the Minister will give a commitment to that effect.